Pacify kids on trips
Dear Heloise: I have some hints I’ve used while TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN. Keeping my toddlers quiet is a chore, but here is what I do to keep them occupied on airplane rides: In my carry-on, I take small items (a box of raisins, a small book, any number of party-favor-type toys, such as rhinestone rings, puzzles, etc.), each wrapped. They get to open a “gift” if they start to get antsy and bored.
This works well and keeps them busy. But sometimes they seem to “get antsy” just to get a prize. Then we play a game, use the coloring book or count pennies.
On some flights, more gifts are necessary than on other flights, but the kids are excited to open each little package. — Mom of Three, via email
Dear Mom: Good planning, and lots of different things to keep little hands and minds occupied. Thanks from fellow travelers, too. — Heloise
P.S.: It would be nice if someone had little gifts like that for adults on some long flights!
LETTER OF LAUGHTER
Dear Heloise: A friend of mine put a sofa out at the curb with a sign that said “Free to a good home.” It sat there for several days, then he put a sign on it saying “For Sale — $20,” and somebody stole it. — Gary in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Love it, and thanks for the much-needed laugh! — Heloise
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Frank W. in Dayton, Ohio, sent a picture of his adorable white West Highland “terror.” He is about 6 months old, and his name is Dawson, but everyone calls him Digger. They can’t keep him out of the flower beds! To see Dawson and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.” — Heloise
SUPER SYRUP
Dear Heloise: I mix any flavored fruit jelly with pancake syrup until well-blended. (It should be fairly thin.) The mix tastes great and is a new twist for topping pancakes, biscuits, toast, muffins, etc.
How thick you want it depends on how much syrup you mix with the jelly. I’ve never been disappointed with the mixes I’ve made using different flavors of jellies every so often. It’s worth a try! — Delores B., Albany, Texas
FAVOR TO OTHERS
Dear Heloise: Ladies, when you use a public restroom, do the next user a favor. Leave a “tail” of bathroom tissue hanging free. Sometimes it’s very difficult to find the end of the tissue if the enclosed holder is low on the wall. — Y., via email
Thank you! Some of those darn toilet-paper holders and the thin, cheap TP make it like digging for gold to get some paper. — Heloise
‘SCENT-SATIONAL’ SLEEPING
Dear Heloise: To make sleeping more relaxing, I put a folded perfume sample from a magazine, opened, under my pillow in the daytime.
Before going to bed, I turn the pillow over for the sweet, relaxing smell. Free, easy and enjoyable. — Sandy A., Punta Gorda, Fla.
SHOWER SPRAY
Dear Heloise: You had a recipe for a shower-door cleaner in one of your columns that I failed to cut out of our paper. I think it had vinegar, water, alcohol and I don’t know if there was anything else. My shower doors have soap scum and hard water built up on them. Thank you. — Patty, via email.
Patty, I’m always happy to help! Here is my easy recipe for a shower-door cleaner. Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar (white or apple cider), 1 pint of rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, and finish with enough water to make a gallon. Put some into a clearly labeled spray bottle and use the rest for washing windows. Vinegar is a multipurpose, cheap product that can be used for many chores. I have put all of my favorite vinegar hints into a pamphlet. To order, send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (66 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Soak a stopped-up shower head in a small, plastic bag (if it can’t be removed) of full-strength vinegar overnight to remove hard-water buildup. — Heloise